Microsoft E3 2016 Briefing: Everything you need to know

Microsoft made a lot of announcements at their E3 2016 press conference. It was filled with new games, live demos and much more.

Xbox One S

Microsoft started off with the announcement of a newer, slimmer console called the Xbox One S. It is 40% smaller than the original Xbox One and has a built-in power-supply and the new console can be placed horizontally or vertically with an optional stand.

It also has the ability to play Blu-Ray movies and stream video in 4K ultra HD. The Xbox One S also offers support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) in games and video. Microsoft also moved one of the three USB ports and the pairing button to the front of the Xbox One S alongside the newly added IR blaster.

The new console still has support for Kinect but Microsoft got rid of the dedicated Kinect port from the back of the console. The Kinect will be able to connect to the Xbox One S via Xbox Kinect Adapter. Microsoft says fans that currently own a Kinect for Xbox One and plan to purchase the Xbox One S, we are offering a free Xbox Kinect Adapter. Visit xbox.com/XboxOne/KinectAdapter for more details.

The Xbox One S will come with a newly designed wireless controller. It has a textured grip just like on the Forza 6 and Lunar White controllers. Microsoft says improved the Xbox Wireless signal performance to give you a more reliable wireless connection to the console and up to twice the wireless range when used with Xbox One S.

They’ve also added Bluetooth support in the new controller so you can easily connect to your Windows 10 device. The new controller will be bundled with the Xbox One S and will be available for purchase individually for $59.99 USD.

Microsoft says All Xbox One games, accessories and Xbox Live services will work with the new Xbox One S.

With 500GB, 1TB and special launch edition 2TB options, you can choose the hard drive that’s right for you. The limited quantity 2TB launch edition Xbox One S will be available in select markets starting early August for $399 USD, with the 1TB Xbox One S for $349 USD and the 500GB Xbox One S for $299 USD arriving thereafter. The Xbox One Vertical Stand will also be available for standalone purchase for $19.99 USD.

Killer Instinct – New Character

General RAAM Alt Profile

Season 3 of Killer Instinct just recently launched and Microsoft just announced that Raam from the Gears of War series will be coming to Killer Instinct.

Gear of War 4

Microsoft showed off some new gameplay footage of the upcoming Gears of War 4.

Gears of War 4 Elite Controller Key Art

There will also be a Xbox Elite Controller Gears of War 4 Limited Edition that will launch alongside the game. Gears of War 4 will be released on October 11th 2016 for Xbox One and Windows 10.

ReCore

Microsoft announced that ReCore will be coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 on September 13th 2016. It will be a Xbox Play Anywhere title and will only cost $49.99 CAD (or $39.99 USD).

From the legendary creator Keiji Inafune and Armature Studio, the team behind the “Metroid Prime” series, comes “ReCore,” an action-adventure masterfully crafted for the modern generation. Play as Joule Adams, one of the last remaining humans, and forge friendships with a courageous group of robot companions, each with unique abilities and powers. Lead this band of unlikely heroes on an epic adventure through a mysterious, dynamic world. You can’t save mankind alone.

ReCore Inquisitive Mack

ReCore Joule Solving Puzzle

ReCore Vertical Key Art

ReCore Joule and Mack Ready for Action

ReCore Joule and Mack Interacting

The Division: Underground expansion

The Division: Underground Expansion Key Art

The first expansion pack for Tom Clancy’s The Division is called Underground and it will be coming to Xbox One and PC first on June 28th 2016.

Xbox Design Lab

Microsoft is allowing gamers to create and customize their own Xbox One wireless controller. You can change the colours of the buttons, triggers, D-pad and more. The controller that you customize is one of the newer streamlined controllers that are launching with the Xbox One S.

The controllers that are designed in the Xbox Design Lab will ship in September and is available in Canada for $99.99 CAD (or $79.99 USD) and you can get laser engraving for $14.99 CAD. Design you own controller at xboxdesignlab.xbox.com.

INSIDE

Playdead (the developer behind Limbo) announced a release date for their upcoming game, INSIDE. It will launch on Xbox One on June 29th and July 7th for PC.

Forza Horizon 3

The Horizon Festival is going down under in Forza Horizon 3. The new game will have a wide variety of areas to race in, from cruising along the oceanside in a dune buggy to driving through the outback.

Forza Horizon 3 will be coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 on September 27th 2016 and the game is a Xbox Play Anywhere title.

Forza Horizon 3 Chopper Buggy

Forza Horizon 3 City Skyline

Forza Horizon 3 Coast Landscape

Forza Horizon 3 Horizontal Key Art

Forza Horizon 3 Gorge Buggies

Forza Horizon 3 Forzavista Engine

Forza Horizon 3 Dirt Road Mustang

Forza Horizon 3 Truck Dune Jump

We Happy Few

The upcoming game from Compulsion Games will be coming to Xbox Game Preview (which is the Xbox equivalent of Steam Early Access) on July 26th, 2016.

Tekken 7

The game will be coming Xbox One (and PS4) in early 2017.

Hwoarang Close Up

Fighting Wings

Dead Rising 4

Frank West is back in Dead Rising 4, which is set 16 years after the original Dead Rising.

As Frank seeks to uncover the truth behind the outbreak, he faces new undead enemies, including the Fresh – newly zombified victims that will turn in front of his eyes, and exhibit superior speed and ferocity. He also has to tangle with the Evo – zombies with superior strength and mobility that mimic the behavior of predatory hunting animals.

Additionally, several fan-favorite Dead Rising features return, including the ability to combine hundreds of weapons and vehicles to combat the horde – ranging from the practical, to the practically insane. Frank also gets access to all-new EXO Suits, giving him super-strength and incredible firepower, as well as the ability to rip down objects in the world to use as weapons. From giant pipes to parking meters, the world is filled implements of mass zombie destruction.

Dead Rising 4 is coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 this holiday.

Dead Rising 4 Vertical Key Art

Dead Rising 4 Willamette Cop Car

Dead Rising 4 Willamette Water Tower

Dead Rising 4 Zombie Fresh Attack

Dead Rising 4 EXO Suit Power Up

Dead Rising 4 Zombie Slice of Fun

Dead Rising 4 Blambow Weapon Red

Scalebound

Microsoft showed off some new gameplay for Scalebound and it will be released in 2017 for Xbox One and Windows 10.

Scalebound Drew Bowshot

Scalebound Thuban Roar

Scalebound Thuban Flight Attack

Sea of Thieves

Rare showed off some new gameplay of their upcoming game, Sea of Thieves. The game still doesn’t have a set release date but when it does release, it will be available for Xbox One and Windows 10.

Skeleton Lord

Port at Night

Night Battle at Sea

Day Battle at Sea

Krakens Resolve at Sea

Port at Day

Port Overcast Weather

State of Decay 2

Undead Labs says the sequel has much higher ambitions than the original.

State of Decay 2 builds upon the unique blend of open-world exploration, third-person action, and survival-fantasy role playing pioneered in the original State of Decay, and adds the top fan-requested feature – cooperative multiplayer.

State of Decay 2 will be released on Xbox One and Windows 10 in 2017 and it is a Xbox Play Anywhere title.

State of Decay 2 Zombie Carrion Concept Art

State of Decay 2 Farewell

State of Decay 2 Early Base

State of Decay 2 Four Player Gameplay

State of Decay 2 Combat Gameplay

State of Decay 2 Screamer

State of Decay 2 Suburban Horde Concept Art

State of Decay 2 House Exterior

State of Decay 2 Interior House

State of Decay 2 Lonely Sunset

Halo Wars 2

Microsoft officially announced to 2009’s Halo Wars and they showed off some gameplay and announced an open beta. Halo Wars 2 will be released on February 21st, 2017 on Xbox One and Windows 10.

Halo Wars 2 Horizontal Key Art

Xbox Project Scorpio

Microsoft also announced that they are working on another console, one that will be the most powerful console that they’ve made. It will also have support of VR and 4K gaming (not just 4K video). It will be released in holiday 2017.

Xbox One Update

Microsoft also announced a few new features that are coming in the next update for Xbox One. The first was Clubs on Xbox Live, so then like-minded players can hangout and play the same game.

This ties into Looking for Group on Xbox Live which basically puts out a wanted ad to other players to see if they want to play together.

There’s also something called Arena which will let players battle against each other in their favourite games.

The next feature is the ability to play music in the background while playing on your Xbox One.

Cortana is also coming to Xbox One and will work with either Kinect or just your headset.

Xbox Play Anywhere

Xbox Play Anywhere is pretty self-explanatory, if you buy the game for Xbox One, you’ll get it on Windows 10 as well. Forza Horizon 3, Gears of War 4, ReCore, Halo Wars 2, Sea of Thieves and Scalebound are all Xbox Play Anywhere titles.

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Published by Sachin Bahal

Sachin is a talented and versatile writer with a passion for technology and loves to write about gaming, entertainment, tech and more. He started TheCanadianTechie back in 2012 to become the ultimate, independent source for tech enthusiasts or “techies”.
You can also find my product reviews at TechDaily.ca
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